Daily Thrifty Tips. Vol. 8, Num. 218, November 6, 2009

Vol. 8, Num. 218, November 6, 2009 (Read It Online) Be sure to give a "thumbs up" to tips and photos that you like. Your ratings are used to pick the winners. Thanks for reading, The ThriftyFun Team Send to a Friend! Share a Tip (You could win $25!) Share a Photo (You could win $25!) Have a Question? Submit a request... Link to ThriftyFun.com View Active Topics! Edit Your Subscriptions: To edit your ThriftyFun subscriptions, click the Update Profile/Email Address link at the bottom of this newsletter. Today's newsletter contains: Today's Photos: Craft: LCD Mini Jar Lamp Make Funny Faces For Family Group Photo Trixie (Pug) Jack Daniels (German Shepherd/Red Husky) Craft: Decorative Story Jar Today's Tips: How to Make Draft Stoppers Remove Lines from Home VCR Tapes With Commercial Tapes Dollar Store Calendar Books Bed, Bath and Beyond Honors Expired Coupons and Competitor's Pricing Make Your Own Pillowtop Mattress and Duvet Cover Link: Order Extra Free Consumer Action Handbooks Reusing Dryer Sheets Organizing Your Jewelry Box Joke of the Day New Requests: Removing Pet Odor from Furniture Child Support Payments and Social Security Manual for Perfection-Aire Oven Model # C2000 Homemade Fly Traps Buying Marie Callender's Pie Crusts Finding Inexpensive Flooring Removing Lint from Clothing What might be causing an itchy ear? Getting Rid of Ants in the Kitchen Training a Boxer Puppy Birthday Party Games Removing Dog Urine Stain from Carpet Looking For George Foreman Manual Lighten Your Hair With Lemon Juice Removing Acrylic Paint from Carpet Kitten Only Uses Litter Box to Pee KitchenAid Ice Maker Not Making Ice Removing Candle Wax from Jars Dresser Drawers Stuck Closed Toys for Tots Marker on Couch Grease Stain on Polyester Removing Dog Pee and Poo from Cream Carpet Permanent Marker Stains off Linoleum Floor How Can I Tell If Something is Made of Silver Removing Carpet Dents Restoring the Shine on a Formica Countertop Puppy with Hydrocephalus Asking a Guy to a Formal Dance Removing Skunk Smell From a Car More Reading: What You Should Be Doing Yourself (But Might Not Be) Craft Project: 3-D Paper Ornament Today's Sponsor: Crafting for Fun and Money! If you are an avid crafter, capable writer and own a digital camera, you are eligible to participate. Submit your craft projects to ThriftyFun and we will pay $15 for any crafts that we publish. More Information: Click Here: http://www.thriftyfun.com/post_craft.ldml Today's Photos: Craft: LCD Mini Jar Lamp This is a LCD tea light in a jar with a lamp shade made from scrapbook paper. I used a vintage glass jelly jar, but you can also use a baby food jar or any other small jar. I also used a paper Doily and ribbon, and patterned scrapbook paper. You can find the template for the lamp shade at the web address below. Source: http://www.cdhm.org/tutorials/making-miniature-lampshade.html By dare2bme71 from Lynchburg, VA Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf11450112.tip.html Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Make Funny Faces For Family Group Photo This photo was taken in 2008 for our family picture, at Walmart. We had a great time. By Sammy from Shepherdsville, KY Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf12460728.tip.html Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Trixie (Pug) Trixie is a two year old Pug. After much research into the perfect dog for children (young and old alike) that could handle apartment to farm lifestyle, we found Trixie from a local breeder in the area of FL, where we were living at the time. Trixie is all "pug", she is a clown and loves to make people laugh. She has her own racetrack: she runs around the house. She enjoys playing ball, snuggling, walks, car rides. Unfortunately, when feeling a little retaliatory (if not taken for a car ride when the rest of the family leaves), she likes to rip through all the garbage pails and spread it all through the house. Trixie is the life of our family and we love her very much! To us, there is no other dog as special as her! By Babetta from St. Peters, MO Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf84362852.tip.html Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Jack Daniels (German Shepherd/Red Husky) Jack Daniels is a one and a half year old German Shepherd/Red Husky. I rescued him from a broken home. He loves to play frisbee! He's a great guard dog, very intelligent, and always playful. By Michael from McHenry, IL Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf10182311.tip.html Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Craft: Decorative Story Jar Story Jar made from recycled kitchen jars. After the contents of the jar is emptied, wash and dry. If you want a "peep hole" in the front, cut peel-n-stick shelf paper the desired shape and place it where you want it, then paint the jar. Find things that are similar to put inside and out. Mine have a variety of items both new, as well as used, but are thematic. Forest: beads charms twigs decorations saved from a bakery item a mini handcrafted cardboard box a mini corked bottle of glitter (fairy dust) part of a seasonal decoration taken apart and re-glittered cardboard scrap leaves covered with green candy wrapper foil craft punches for a lizard, frog, flowers, leaves (I will glue on a little bird or two when I locate that craft punch) leaves cut from old green clothing and also from a green canvas tent! glow-in-the-dark foam stars inside and out and more! This craft is a lot of fun and would make a great gift! Source: Saw the idea on a website. By melody_yesterday from Otterville, MO Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf19993415.tip.html Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Contests: Tip Contest Submit a Tip or Recipe! Photo Contest Submit a tip with photo! These contests are weekly. We pick 2 tip winners and 1 photo winner at the end of each week. Each winner will win $25! My Frugal Life Submit a My Frugal Life Essay! Today's Tips: How to Make Draft Stoppers Go to hardware store and buy 1/2 inch pipe insulator. It should be less than a dollar for 6 feet of foam insulator. Buy one for each door your going to do. Measure width of door and cut foam 1/2 inch less than that measurement. Take a 30 gallon garbage bag. Place one cut piece of foam on long end side of bag and roll towards the middle. Tape down. Do the same with the other side, but before taping the second side make sure their is enough room to slip the stopper underneath the door so that each side of door will have insulator on it. Tape edges so it will run smoothly over flooring. Tadah! Now you have paid $1 for something that would have cost $10 if you had bought on television! By Emily from Erlanger, KY Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf97556243.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Remove Lines from Home VCR Tapes With Commercial Tapes I had a situation in which a new digital DVD/VCR recorder was acting up when I watched my recorded soap opera tapes. The picture would be full of lines on the top and bottom of the screen, would become static-y every few seconds, etc. Enough to give a person a headache. I accidentally discovered a temporary solution. When I play a commercially recorded VCR movie, the tracking takes a couple of minutes to settle back down to normal, and then I let this tape run for 5 to 10 mins. After that, my home recorded tapes work just fine for a few weeks. Source: Me - accidentally! By cookwie from Richardson, TX Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf73482081.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Dollar Store Calendar Books I can't remember my busy schedule without a calendar book. I like the ones with only one year per book. These can be expensive, but I found them at the Dollar Store and they are perfect for my purse. As soon as I get the new one, I go through the old one and transfer all my birthdays/anniversaries. Should I miss a date transfer, I can check the old book since I save them from year to year by putting them with my tax records. Source: My desperate attempt to be organized! By Irene W. from Lancaster, PA Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf36925789.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Bed, Bath and Beyond Honors Expired Coupons and Competitor's Pricing Most Bed, Bath and Beyond stores will accept expired Bed, Bath and Beyond coupons. Some will also accept up to five coupons per purchase. They will also match other stores' prices. Bring in the ad plus use Bed, Bath and Beyond coupons for more savings. Check with your local Bed, Bath and Beyond store to be sure this applies. Source: My sister. By mkymlp from NE PA Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf96247774.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Make Your Own Pillowtop Mattress and Duvet Cover Several years ago, I decided I wanted one of those featherbeds and a feather comforter. Instead of spending all that money, I took two old comforters, washed them up and put one under the fitted sheet on my bed - instant featherbed. The other one, I made a cover for out of two old top sheets, I could have used new ones. I turned the sheets inside out, sewed around three sides and let the one long side open so I could slip the comforter in. I whipstitched it shut, it took some time to do, and put it on my bed. Voila! ;) A happy grammy and grandpa and no expense! Cozy warm too! By Grammyv from Ohio Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf42729422.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Link: Order Extra Free Consumer Action Handbooks When you order for the Consumer Action Handbook, they will send 10 handbooks at a time, for giving to your other family members, friends and neighbors, and most of them probably don't even have this very helpful handbook now. I got a box today from UPS, and I'll make sure that everyone who wants one will have one here. Organizations can order more than 10 as well, so, these are the handbooks that can help keep us saving money and not being scammed, and how to fight back when we have to. Even though the handbook is for 2009, they are handy for some years, at least the very basics are always the same, and if the order is closer to sometime next year, they'll send the 2010 ones. How a lot of us feel about recycling paper, these handbooks are very useful, and they are worth hanging on to, even the 2009 ones. When we get the newer handbooks, send those on to others. They will still be very useful for others, especially the people who are not able to use the internet. I know plenty of people who still don't even use the internet, less able to own a computer, or even are able to easily go to the library. So, we can all look out for others like that. Source: GSA Office of Citizens Services and Communication, Federal Citizen Information Center, Washington DC. http://www.consumeraction.gov/caw_orderhandbook.shtml By kas2 from Grand Rapids, MI Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf45815507.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Reusing Dryer Sheets This is another tip using fabric softener sheets. To get a better value from them, reuse them. A sheet can be used four times. Each time you use one, cut a bit off a corner. Toss the sheet after the fourth use. Source: Think I read this in another tip source years ago. By knitter926 from Bloomington, IL Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf55634323.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Organizing Your Jewelry Box I save all those tiny little baggies that buttons come in on new clothes and keep my earring paired up and my jewelry separated in my jewelry box. They keep chains and hooks from getting tangled up, and help keep the box neat and well organized. No more trying to find the match for a particular earring buried in a mound of jewelry. I also put sets of jewelry bagged together (but separately) the bracelet, earrings, and necklace of a set are all bagged separately and then put in a slightly larger baggie, like the snack sized ones. So I just have to grab one baggie with all the matching jewelry in it. None of it is tangled because they are all bagged separately. By jazzy from Ellicott City, MD Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf524201.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Dear Webby's Joke of the Day For months he had been her devoted admirer. Now, at long last, he had collected up sufficient courage to ask her the most momentous of all questions: "There are quite a lot of advantages to being a bachelor," he began, "but there comes a time when one longs for the companionship of another being -- a being who will regard one as perfect, as an idol; whom one can treat as one's absolute own; who will be kind and faithful when times are hard; who will share one's joys and sorrows." To his delight he saw a sympathetic gleam in her eyes. Then she nodded in agreement. Finally, she responded, "I think its a great idea! Sure I can help you choose which puppy to buy!" Read More Jokes Here: http://webby.com/humor New Requests: Removing Pet Odor from Furniture Does anyone know how to get dog odors out of an upholstered sofa? By Daisy from Franklinton, NC Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf65925682.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Child Support Payments and Social Security My ex has just been awarded his social security and was supposed to be receiving back pay. He owes me $10,000 in back support for my daughter. I was told by his mother that I was supposed to be receiving his back pay. He had received a letter that stated the payment would be processed in 2 weeks, that was back on October 2nd of this year and I haven't heard or seen anything. I was just wondering how long it would take for me to receive that payment and how I could go about finding out info on it? Child Support Office never gives me a straight answer. If anyone has any info or the same situation please help with info. Thanks a bunch. By Acirillo from Springfield, MO Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf78901620.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Manual for Perfection-Aire Oven Model # C2000 Where can I purchase a owner's manual for Galloping Gourmet Perfection Aire cooker and a recipe book? By Julie Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf81416024.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Homemade Fly Traps Does anyone have a for sure, easy, homemade fly trap? By xoxome from Shafter, CA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf35188732.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Buying Marie Callender's Pie Crusts Is there a grocery store in central Texas where I can buy Marie Callender's frozen pie crust? By Janelle from San Marcos, TX Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf98261767.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Finding Inexpensive Flooring What are the cheapest ways to improve kitchen flooring? Is there anything cheaper than laminate or linoleum? By Louise Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf38331505.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Removing Lint from Clothing OK, so I did the unthinkable. I put new towels in with a pile of clothes and all the fluff from the towels came off and is now abundant all over my clothes. Apart from removing the fluff with cellotape, are there better, quicker ways to remove the fluff? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Louise By Louise from BC Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf464991.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | What might be causing an itchy ear? I get inner ear sores, and have constant itching and tickling in the same ear. Can you help me with this problem? By Steph from Hot Springs, AR Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf13977320.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Getting Rid of Ants in the Kitchen I had tiny ants around my kitchen counter that were coming from around the receptacle on the back splash. I cannot put anything wet around the receptacle because of the electricity. Does anyone have any suggestions of how I can get rid of the ants? By Donna from NJ Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf432417.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Training a Boxer Puppy I have an 11 month old boxer. She is a female. She has been through classes and knows the basic commands (sit, stay and come). She also shakes and uses a bell at the back door when she needs to go potty. But she jumps on people, barks while in the car and will not sit in the back seat, and she pulls on the leash. Can anyone give me ideas to help her stop these behaviors? By Sherri Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf394020.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Birthday Party Games I am having a party for my daughter this weekend, she will be ten. I rented a hall, but I don't really have any good games to play. Any ideas? By Tina from Cleveland, OH Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf976307.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Removing Dog Urine Stain from Carpet What is the best thing to remove dog urine from carpet, using household products? By Shanan from IL Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf356668.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Looking For George Foreman Manual I need George Foreman Baby Rotisserie Manual # GR59A. By Linda Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf64239034.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Lighten Your Hair With Lemon Juice My hair is naturally light brown. I want it to be blonde, but I really do not want to use hair bleach or hair color. This summer I tried sitting in the sun for 30 minutes with the juice of a lemon and a spoonful of water combed into my hair. This did do some lightening and added a few streaks of golden brown, but I was wondering if there is any way you can get lemon juice to work better, so that i could get dark blonde hair all over? Thank you. By Cara from Firefield Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf431619.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Removing Acrylic Paint from Carpet How do I remove acrylic paint from my carpet? By Jerry from Seattle, WA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf73526679.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Kitten Only Uses Litter Box to Pee We adopted a kitten from the Humane Society and she is 4 1/2 months old. She easily trained to the litter box and used it fine for 2 months. Then 2 weeks ago she started defecating outside of the box (usually right next to or near it), but not in the box. She urinates in the litter box just fine. Nothing has changed with her box or the litter. She's been to the vet and has no medical issues. Any suggestions? I cannot figure out why the sudden change in behavior and why she only uses the litter box to urinate. Please help, how do I get her to use the litter box for all eliminations? By lilpaw from San Diego, CA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf89016699.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | KitchenAid Ice Maker Not Making Ice My ice maker is not working on my Kitchenaid fridge. By Darryl Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf35340585.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Removing Candle Wax from Jars What's the best way to remove a large amount of candle wax from a jar that has a much more narrow opening than the base of the candle jar? I was thinking of letting it sit in boiling water and slowly scooping out with a spoon, but maybe someone here has an idea that will work better. By Deeli from Richland, WA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf406681.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Dresser Drawers Stuck Closed I have a dresser that was my grandmother's; it is over 80 years old and made of real wood. It had a large heavy TV sitting on top of it for years now. I can't open any of the drawers. So what can I do without damaging the dresser? Thank you for any help. By Robbie from Douglasville, GA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf13625201.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Toys for Tots I need to know where to sign up for Toys for Tots? I have five kids in need of Christmas presents this year. By Arrisa from Colton, CA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf46635784.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Marker on Couch I have a red marker stain on a loveseat. What should I use to remove it? By Scott from Vancouver Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf638980.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Grease Stain on Polyester How do you remove dried in grease stains from polyester knit? By Charlene from MI Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf859301.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Removing Dog Pee and Poo from Cream Carpet How do I get puppy pee off my cream carpets? I want to do this without a carpet cleaner. By Claire from Scotland Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf391108.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Permanent Marker Stains off Linoleum Floor How can I remove black permanent marker from my linoleum? I've tried everything and nothing works. By Vikki from England Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf154302.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | How Can I Tell If Something is Made of Silver I have a very old "silver" sugar bowl from the Dollar Steamship Line. It isn't marked with the words "sterling silver", but it says it's from the International Silver Co. It is also marked with the inscription 8OZ. Any help? By David from south Texas Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf24822755.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Removing Carpet Dents I would like to find out how to remove deep furniture dents from carpets. Thank you. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf601700.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Restoring the Shine on a Formica Countertop How can I restore the shine to 17 year old Formica counters? By Mimi from Cedarville, MI Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf157487.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Puppy with Hydrocephalus I have a 1.3 pound, 3 month old chihuahua puppy who just crashed on Saturday. I rushed her to an aggressive vet 24 hour weekend clinic and she was diagnosed with Parvo. I already gave her two shots and somehow she is now exposed to this. She is so precious to me and I would like to know how long will it take her to get better. I would also like everyone to say a prayer for her to help her each day. She has been at the clinic now since Saturday so 4 days and is showing improvement, but when they take her off the glucose she crashed like soon after that. What should I do, now they are saying she may have hydrocephalus as well? I have invested $1500 plus and she looks like she is really getting better, but now there is the hydrocephalus which is life threatening as well. By Samantha from Frankfort, KY Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf97539177.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Asking a Guy to a Formal Dance So there is this boy that I have liked since last year when I was a freshman. We have a winter dance soon called the Football Ball and the cheerleaders hold it. Can you help me come up with some cute ideas to ask him to the dance? Thank you. By SaraJean from Casper, WY Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf186514.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Removing Skunk Smell From a Car I ran over a skunk on Saturday night. I thought it was a possum, so I opened up the windows to see if it was a skunk or not by the smell. Of course, it was a skunk, and now my car reeks of skunk. I am unable to drive it, because the smell is so unpleasant that it actually makes me gag. I know that there are posts on here for removing it from the outside of a car, but does anyone know any ways to get the smell out of the interior of my car? I've had the windows open for the past 2 days, and the smell hasn't dissipated at all. By Stacey from Paramus, NJ Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf22894604.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Today's Sponsor: Crafting for Fun and Money! If you are an avid crafter, capable writer and own a digital camera, you are eligible to participate. Submit your craft projects to ThriftyFun and we will pay $15 for any crafts that we publish. More Information: Click Here: http://www.thriftyfun.com/post_craft.ldml More Reading: What You Should Be Doing Yourself (But Might Not Be) By Kelly Ann Butterbaugh There are luxuries, but in bad economic times this isn't the time for luxuries. If you're looking to whittle down on your budget, be sure that you're not giving in to luxuries. These are things that you should be doing yourself if you're worried about your household budget. Cut Your Own Lawn Those who have paid lawn services have beautifully thick manicured lawns. However, their wallets might not be as thick. Maintaining your own lawn provides several benefits. Besides saving money, it provides free exercise, healthful fresh air, and a healthy dose of vitamin D. Don't forget about the pride it gives the person behind the mower when he or she sits and looks over the work. If cutting your own lawn isn't an option for health reasons, look into promoting economic stimulus in your neighborhood. An amateur won't charge as much as the professional service, but he might appreciate it more. Hire a neighborhood pre-teen to cut the lawn for some extra cash or ask a newly retired neighbor if he's interested in a weekly walk through your lawn. Do Your Own Taxes Nothing surprised me more the day my husband and I entered a large chain tax preparation agency only to see them enter our information into the same computer program I had used the year before. The difference? The program costs us $20; the tax preparation costs $180. Programs such as Turbo Tax help you to find deductions and prepare accurate claims. There isn't much to be overlooked when carefully moving through one of these programs. It may even tip you off for further deductions next year now that you know what you can claim. Backup Your Own Data Today a selling point for anti-virus software and other packges is data backup. Most offer a set amount of backup space with the option to buy more. Save your money and do your own data backups. Backing up data is essential; a hard drive crash could be devastating. However, backing up your information onto CDs or DVDs can be done at home. CD burning software usually offers an option for archiving that can be done easily and regularly. This is also a good time to clean up your files and eliminate unneeded files. Manually dragging files into your data burning program doesn't take long, either. If you're worried about damage to your home in turn damaging your data, then store your CD backups in a fire safe box or at a trusted someone else's home. Read More: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf41281879.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Craft Project: 3-D Paper Ornament Fold the paper in half to make a triangle, then fold again. Starting from the folded edge, but parallel to the long side of the triangle, make 5 equal cuts, stopping about 1/4 inch from the opposite side. (See diagram.) Read More: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf46306726.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Interactive Coupon Swap! Swap coupons with other ThriftyFun.com users. Seed Swap! Swap seeds with other ThriftyFun.com users.